Electricity and magnetism are related phenomena. Electricity is the flow of electrons, which can be static (not flowing) or dynamic (flowing in a circuit). Static electricity builds up when objects rub together, transferring electrons. Magnetism is produced by electric currents and magnetic domains in ferromagnetic materials like iron. Electromagnets are coils of wire that produce strong magnetic fields when electric current passes through. Generators use electromagnetic induction to convert mechanical energy into alternating electric current for power grids.

1. Electricity and Magnetism

2. What is electricity? The collection or flow of electrons in the form of an electric charge

3. What is static electricity? When two objects rub against each other electrons transfer and build up on an object causing it to have a different charge from its surroundings. Like the shoes rubbing against the carpet. Electrons are transferred from the carpet to the shoes.

4. As electrons collect on an object, it becomes negatively charged. As electrons leave an object it attains a positive charges. Charges interact with each other: Often when you remove clothes from the clothes dryer, they seem to stick together. This is because some of the clothes have gained electrons by rubbing against other clothes. The clothes losing electrons become positive. The negative clothes are attracted to the positive clothes. Have you ever rubbed a balloon on your hair and stuck it on a wall? How do you think this works?

6. The van de Graaf generator (large silver ball) deposits electrons on the ball. When a person places their hand on the ball and the machine is turned on, electrons are transferred to and collected on the person touching the silver ball. Why do you think this machine affects the hair of the children in the picture?

7. What causes you to be shocked when you rub your feet across carpet? An electrical discharge is the passing of an electric current through the air from a negatively charged object to a positively charge object. This is what causes lightning !

8. What is a conductor and insulator? A conductor is a material which allows an electric current to pass. Metals are good conductors of electricity. An insulator is a material which does not allow an electric current to pass. Nonmetals are good conductors of electricity. Plastic, glass, wood, and rubber are good insulators

9. How are static charges detected?

10. What is the difference between static electricity and current electricity ? Static electricity is stationary or collects on the surface of an object, whereas current electricity is flowing very rapidly through a conductor. The flow of electricity in current electricity has electrical pressure or voltage. Electric charges flow from an area of high voltage to an area of low voltage. Water pressure and voltage behave in similar ways.

12. The pressure of the water flowing through the pipes on the last slide compare to the voltage (electric potential) flowing through the wires of the circuit. The unit used to measure voltage is volts (V). The flow of charges in a circuit is called current. Current (I) is measured in Amperes (A).

13. What is electrical resistance ? Resistance (R)is the opposition to the flow of an electric current, causing the electrical energy to be converted to thermal energy or light. The metal which makes up a light bulb filament or stovetop eye has a high electrical resistance . This causes light and heat to be given off.

14. What are electric circuits ? Circuits typically contain a voltage source, a wire conductor, and one or more devices which use the electrical energy. What is a series circuit? A series circuit is one which provides a single pathway for the current to flow. If the circuit breaks, all devices using the circuit will fail.

15. What is a parallel circuit? A parallel circuit has multiple pathways for the current to flow. If the circuit is broken the current may pass through other pathways and other devices will continue to work .

16. What is the difference between an open circuit and a closed circuit ? A closed circuit is one in which the pathway of the electrical current is complete and unbroken. An open circuit is one in which the pathway of the electrical current is broken. A switch is a device in the circuit in which the circuit can be closed (turned on) or open (turned off).

17. How is household wiring arranged? Most household wiring is logically designed with a combination of parallel circuits. Electrical energy enters the home usually at a breaker box or fuse box and distributes the electricity through multiple circuits. A breaker box or fuse box is a safety feature which will open

18. What is magnetism ? Magnetism is the properties and interactions of magnets The earliest magnets were found naturally in the mineral magnetite which is abundant the rock-type lodestone . These magnets were used by the ancient peoples as compasses to guide sailing vessels. Magnets produce magnetic forces and have magnetic field lines

19. Magnets have two ends or poles, called north and south poles. At the poles of a magnet, the magnetic field lines are closer together. Unlike poles of magnets attract each other and like poles of magnets repel.

20. The earth is like a giant magnet! The nickel iron core of the earth gives the earth a magnetic field much like a bar magnet.

21. What are magnetic domains? Magnetic substances like iron, cobalt, and nickel are composed of small areas where the groups of atoms are aligned like the poles of a magnet. These regions are called domains. All of the domains of a magnetic substance tend to align themselves in the same direction when placed in a magnetic field. These domains are typically composed of billions of atoms.

22. Electricity and Magnetism – how are they related? When an electric current passes through a wire a magnetic field is formed.

23. What is an electromagnet ? When an electric current is passed through a coil of wire wrapped around a metal core, a very strong magnetic field is produced. This is called an electromagnet .

24. What are electric motors? An electric motor is a device which changes electrical energy into mechanical energy.

25. Go to the next slide  How does an electric motor work?

26. Simple as that!!

27. We have seen how electricity can produce a magnetic field, but a magnetic field can also produce electricity! How? What is electromagnetic induction? Moving a loop of wire through a magnetic field produces an electric current. This is electromagnetic induction. A generator is used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy by electromagnetic induction. Carefully study the next diagrams:

29. Direct current versus alternating current – AC vs DC : What’s the difference? Direct current is electrical current which comes from a battery which supplies a constant flow of electricity in one direction. Alternating current is electrical current which comes from a generator. As the electromagnet is rotated in the permanent magnet the direction of the current alternates once for every revolution. Go to this website and click the button for DC then for AC to visually see the difference between the two. You can see that the DC source is a battery – current flows in one direction. The AC source is the generator and the current alternates once for each revolution.